Sarasota Edition

By Dr. Bindu Nair and Dr. Liliana Palacio – Misconceptions about vaccines have persisted for decades. There can be many reasons for fear of or opposition to vaccination. Some people have religious or philosophic objections. Some are concerned about the safety of vaccines, or may believe that vaccine-preventable diseases do not pose a serious health risk. Before reviewing some of …

Comments Off on Controversial USPSTF Decision on PSA Screening Worries Patients and Physicians

By Dr. John Sylvester – There has been a great deal of attention in the media recently about PSA screening. A few months ago, the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) came out with preliminary recommendations that PSA screening should not be done. They have now decided to make this decision final. They recommend no routine PSA blood tests …

Comments Off on Minimally Invasive Surgery: Less Pain, Faster Recovery

By Gary M. Bunch, M.D., F.A.C.S. – The thought of any surgery can seem overwhelming and maybe even frightening. If you are facing an upcoming surgery, one thing to keep in mind is that many surgeries are much less complicated today than they once were. Long gone are the unsightly scars and weeks or months of recovery from open surgery …

By Joseph M. Soler M.D. F.A.C.E.P. – In a growing trend, more and more patients are turning to urgent care centers for treatment of minor ailments and injuries instead of trying to squeeze in an appointment with a primary care provider or waiting at a crowded emergency room. This shift and the rising prominence of urgent care centers is reshaping …

By Dr. Robert J. Ycaza – Commonly known as herpes zoster, Shingles is a condition in which a painful rash or blisters appear on the the skin that is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox – the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). In reality, you have a higher risk for developing Shingles if you have had chicken pox. Basically, …

By Cheung Teav, Physical Therapist with Pinnacle Physical Therapy – The rotator cuff is made up of four major muscles and their tendons which connect the upper arm bone (humerus) to the shoulder blade (scapula). They also help hold the ball of the upper arm bone firmly in the shoulder socket, providing ROM and stability. Injuries to the rotator cuff …

By Carl Reynolds Attorney at Law – There is an Oliver Herford quote made famous by a Billy Joel song: “Only the Good Die Young.” If the saying is true, it may be because the good aren’t wearing their seatbelts. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), fatal injuries from car accidents are the number one cause of death …

By Ramon A. Gil, M.D. – In the summer of 2006, the blockbuster “Snakes on a Plane” depicted Samuel L. Jackson as a courageous and smart FBI agent dealing with a true nightmare for the passengers of a plane from Honolulu to Los Angeles: snakes on a plane. It is perhaps difficult for most of us to think that some …

Comments Off on Top 5 Foods and Lifestyle Changes to Help Lower Cholesterol

By Gino Sedillo, MD, FACC, CardioVascular Solutions Institute – Understanding Cholesterol Cholesterol is a waxy substance that’s found in all of your cells and has several useful functions, including helping to build your body’s cells. It’s carried through your bloodstream attached to proteins. These proteins are called lipoproteins. There are two kinds of lipoproteins: Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) – These …

By Dr. Garrett Harte – We have all been told that good nutrition can generally lead to a longer healthy life. We also know that diets high in fats and sugars can cause diseases such as coronary artery disease and diabetes. What most of us don’t know is that improper diet can lead to malfunction of our nerves resulting in …